ADHD in children: symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.Between 2% and 5% of children and adolescents suffer from this disorder. On average, there are 1 to 2 students who have ADHD in every classroom of 30 students.

It is a chronic conditionwhose signs and symptoms typically appear before the age of seven. It is also more common in boys than in girls. According to the Spanish Federation of Associations devoted to helping attention deficiency and hyperactivity,for every four boys with ADHD, there is one girl with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

It is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by the core symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity. There are three subtypes of ADHD based on the predominantsymptomor on whether the symptoms appear combined.

Subtypes of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder:

Predominantly inattentive: More inattentivesymptoms, rather than hyperactive or impulsive symptoms.

Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive: The majority of symptoms are hyperactive and impulsive, with few or no inattentive symptoms.

Combined: A mix of inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive symptoms.

How to recognize ADHD?

Early diagnosis is crucial in preventing complications. The main signs of each category are:

Inattention

Fail to pay attention to details

Haveproblems sustaining attention in tasks or funactivities

Make careless mistakes, for example, in schoolwork

Are easily distracted by extraneousstimuli

Do not seem to listen when spoken to directly

Have difficulty following through on instructions and fail to finish tasks

Have trouble organizingtasks and activities

Hyperactivity

Fidget with hands or feet or squirm in seat

Leaveseat in situations in whichremaining seated is expected

Have excess energy

Run about or climb excessivelyin situations whereit is inappropriate (in adults, feelings ofrestlessness)

Have trouble playingor engaging in leisure activitiesquietly

Talk excessively

Impulsivity

Blurt out answers before questions have been completed

Have difficulty awaiting turn

Interrupt or intrude on others

How to deal with ADHD?

Treatment for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder involves a multidisciplinary program that meets the specific needs of each childto improve their individual capacities and characteristics. It requires pyschotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, pharmacological treatment, and psycho-pedagogical intervention.

Next Tuesday, in order to train cognitive deficits in children with ADHD, NeuronUP will recommend cognitive rehabilitation activities for children with ADHD.